Salem Willows summer concert returns with the 18th annual Salem Jazz and Soul Festival this August. Furthermore, this beloved free event transforms the historic oceanfront park into a musical paradise. Additionally, world-class performers share the stage with emerging local talent on August 16, 2025.
Join Us for Our 18th Annual Festival – Saturday, August 16, 2025
The Evolution of a Musical Legacy
The Evolution of a Musical LegacyWhen Duke Ellington and other musicians from the Big Band era played at Salem Willows in the early 20th century, they weren’t just performing—they were establishing a rich musical legacy that continues to resonate today. The Charleshurst Ballroom, which once stood where the Willows Casino is now located, hosted legendary performers including Duke Ellington in the summer of 1927 (shortly after Bostonians Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney joined his lineup), Count Basie, Guy Lombardo, and Glen Miller. Salem Willows was a vital stop on the East Coast circuit’s coastline pathway for touring big bands.
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival carries forward this cultural heritage while transforming it into something entirely new: a powerful force for music education and community enrichment in Massachusetts’ North Shore. As we prepare for our 18th annual festival on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM at Salem Willows (167 Fort Avenue), we invite you to be part of this continuing legacy.
The Festival’s Journey
The festival’s history dates back to 2003, when a group of Salem residents, including Henley Douglas Jr. and Jonathan and Jennifer Reardon, envisioned creating a music festival that would catalyze music education. This vision took concrete form in 2006 at a New Year’s party when Douglas shared the concept with Larry Claflin Jr., who responded with an enthusiastic “Let’s do it.” Sarah Corbett soon joined the initiative, and the team grew to include musicians, actors, writers, concert promoters, and businesspeople from across the North Shore.
Within just ten weeks of its formation, the festival held its inaugural fundraiser—a sold-out event on April 21, 2007. Since then, the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has become an annual celebration that draws more than 6,000 visitors to Salem Willows each August, creating a vibrant connection between Salem’s musical past and its cultural future.
2025 Festival Experience
This year’s FREE festival promises an exceptional day of music and community celebration. Our carefully curated lineup includes:
Performance Schedule:
- 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Salem High School Jazz Band (Led by Cyndi Napierkowski)
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Zayra Pola Sessions
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Albino Mbie
- 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Los Sugar Kings
- 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Heavy Metal Horns (Led by co-founder Henley Douglas)
- Between Sets: DJ Skot Void keeps the energy flowing
Festival Features:
- Main Stage: Professional performances throughout the day
- Music Education Tent: Intimate performances and workshops
- MusiKidz Tent: Hands-on musical exploration for children
- Beer and Cider Pavilion: Local craft beverages at Mercy Tavern Lawn (21+)
- Artisan Marketplace: 30 vendor spaces featuring handmade and music-inspired items
Getting to the Festival
We’ve made it easy to join us! The Salem Trolley provides convenient transportation with stops at:
- National Parks Visitor Center
- Blaney Street Wharf
- Bentley Academy
- Innovation School (free parking available)
- Salem Willows
The trolley is just $10 round-trip, and it’s FREE for Salem residents with a proper ID. This sustainable transportation option helps reduce congestion while adding to the festive atmosphere of the day.
Real Impact: Our Achievements in Music Education
Since 2007, the Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has brought about lasting change in our community through tangible achievements in music education and cultural enrichment. We have raised more than $75,000 for music education causes in the North Boston area, while producing over 100 free concerts that make music accessible to everyone in our community.
Our impact spans multiple programs and initiatives that directly benefit young musicians and music education:
- Established a monthly music series for grade-schoolers at the Salem Public Library
- Created music programs for homeless families at a North Shore hotel
- Developed an innovative intern program where local high school students learn audio production
- Funded an eight-week interactive workshop for children on the autism spectrum
- Provided scholarships for students to attend regional music camps
- Made grants to area group homes and after-school music programs
- Supported a summer percussion workshop at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem
- Organized an annual music-related art contest for elementary school children
- Donated funds and new equipment to the North Shore High School jazz bands
The impact of these initiatives has been recognized at the state level, with the festival winning the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Gold Star Award in 2013.
Our Community of Support
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival thrives thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, including the Salem Cultural Council, Massachusetts Cultural Council, 92.5 The River Boston, Peabody Essex Museum, Volvo Cars Danvers, Off Cabot Comedy & Events, Guitar Center, Mercy Tavern, Levitt Foundation, and numerous local businesses who share our vision of accessible music and education.
Supporting the Future of Music Education
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival continues to grow while maintaining its core mission of supporting music education and producing free concerts for our community. Each contribution to our crowdfunding campaign directly supports these proven initiatives that make a real difference in our community.
Your support helps us:
- Continue providing free concerts that make music accessible to everyone
- Sustain and expand our successful educational programs
- Maintain our instrument donation program for local schools
- Support our intern program teaching audio production to high school students
- Fund workshops and educational opportunities for children of all abilities
- Create new opportunities for music education across the North Shore
Join Us in Writing the Next Movement – Donate to the Festival
When Duke Ellington performed at Salem Willows, he helped establish a musical legacy that we continue to honor and build upon today. The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival has proven its ability to transform this historical legacy into meaningful educational impact, creating opportunities for new generations to experience and make music.
Your support enables us to continue building on our demonstrated success in making music education accessible to all members of our community. Every contribution helps us maintain our free programming while supporting vital music education initiatives across the North Shore.
Together, we can ensure that Salem’s rich musical heritage continues to inspire and transform lives through education, performance, and community engagement.
Save the Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 11 AM – 7 PM at Salem Willows
To Support Our Mission: Visit our donation page [insert link] or contact us at info@salemjazzsoul.org
Follow Us: @salemjazzandsoulfestival on Instagram
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We do not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Salem Jazz and Soul Festival | Arts & Entertainment
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The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is recreating and renewing the vibrant jazz scene that began at the Salem Willows in the early 20th century, when Duke Ellington and other musicians from the Big Band era played at the seaside park in Salem, Mass. The festival builds on this rich jazz history — adding soul, blues and funk to the mix
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